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SAHARA LAKE
Lake Information
County: Saline
Acreage: 101
Average Depth: 0.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? 10hp
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
5000 |
2024 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
3000 |
Additional information for stocking on Sahara Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Fair | No bluegill over 5 inches were collected in the 2024 survey. A 15 fish per day creel limit applies for bluegill and redear sunfish at Sahara Woods. | |
Fair | Three channel catfish (13-16 inches) were collected in the 2024 survey. A six fish per day creel limit applies for channel catfish. Channel catfish are stocked annually when available. | |
Fair | No black crappie over 6 inches were collected in the 2024 survey. Although present in the lake, no white crappie were collected in the 2024 survey. A 15 fish per day creel limit applies to crappie at Sahara Woods. | |
Good | Bass were collected at a rate of 58 fish/hr in the 2024 survey. Twenty-four percent of the bass were over 14 inches and 10% were over 18 inches. The largest bass collected weighed 3.4 pounds. | |
Fair | No redear over 4 inches were collected in the 2024 survey. A 15 fish per day creel limit applies for bluegill and redear sunfish at Sahara Woods. | |
Location: Sahara Woods is located 5 miles west of Harrisburg, Illinois; south of State Route 13.
Description: The site is made up of vacated strip mine land and encompasses approximately 4000 acres. Sahara Lake and numerous strip cuts make up approximately 270 acres of fishable water. In July of 2011, the site was opened for the first time to public fishing. Currently only two boat ramps are located at Sahara Woods: one on Sahara Lake and one on a 15-acre strip cut located to the east of Sahara Lake.
Sahara Lake has a 10 horsepower or less motor restriction and all other strip cuts are electric motor only. Sahara Lake is approximately 98 acres with an accessible boat ramp, parking lot and restroom.
Anglers are allowed to use "carry in" boats, such as canoes, kayaks and small jon boats on all strip pits currently open to bank fishing. Users should use extreme caution as this site is extremely rugged and shoreline areas drop off very quickly. Anglers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with site boundaries and remain on open roads and parking lots while fishing at Sahara Woods.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Sportfish in the lake include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear and channel catfish. Sahara Woods offers an excellent opportunity for the adventuresome angler to fish waters that have had very limited public fishing pressure, and the angler should expect to be rewarded with a quality fishing experience.
Additional Lake Information: Sahara Lake has a 10 horsepower or less motor restriction and all other strip cuts are electric motor only. Anglers are allowed to use "carry in" boats such as canoes, kayaks and small boats on all strip pits currently open to bank fishing.
Site Regulations:
Crappie: 15 fish daily limit
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish: 15 fish daily limit
Largemouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit; 1 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Contact Information: IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Shawn Hirst618-559-5009
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